Is it normal to be 23 and haven't had a real job?

68% Normal
9 Comments

I'm 23, college grad and at the moment I'm doing freelancing. But before college and throughout, I never had a job. I did work retail for a couple of months but it was like a program so idk I don't really consider it like I was "hired." Then I graduated and did a few internships but at start-ups so basically couldn't afford to hire any employees. Meh. Luckily, I got a gig with my last internship and its doing what I want to do but its freelancing and obviously not enough financially. I don't know if I should feel bad or good. Should I feel bad cause Ive never worked so Ive never had experience in like an office environment or customer service environment? Or should I feel good cause I am doing what I want to do and studied for and not just anything? Is it normal? Any one relate?

Voting Results
68% Normal
Based on 34 votes (23 yes)
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Comments ( 9 )
  • jethro
    8 years ago

    The object isn't what are you going to do now. The object is what can you do now so you can take care of yourself when you are old.

    Do you really want to be 90 years old and HAVE to work just to be able to eat? Living paycheck to paycheck just so you can go to every party in town won't last forever. And your parents, your current meal ticket, won't be here forever either. Someday you are going to be all alone and no one out there will be willing to help. So you better plan on trudging through those horrible jobs so you can get the experience and history to get the better paying ones.

    Even guys in the Mafia have to "make their bones" to get the juicier spots in the chain.

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  • CrimsonEye
    8 years ago

    Keep trying. You have to be 'out there' and slightly more exceptional than the average worker to get a good job. Apply to lots of places and keep up the search and patience.

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  • clevelandashkenaziatheist
    8 years ago

    The pathway to professional development for today's youth is full of pitfalls and waiting. It is out there for the truly accomplished and by living in the less competitive (i.e. lower wealth) areas. People don't have real jobs in the U.S. until they are in their late 20's or early 30's. This problem is much worse in places like France and Spain, but it's still not fun.

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  • [Old Memory]
    8 years ago

    There are no real jobs. Office and customer service environments are the pits. They tend to be dead ends even if you are promoted. You'll just go from one miserable job to another miserable job. I did them for 25 years. If you enjoy what you're doing, keep doing it and look for other ways to earn more money.

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  • thegypsysailor
    8 years ago

    I would consider school a job, if one did well at it and maintained good grades.
    Interestingly, if you had had a job, even part time while you were in school, you could have saved up enough money to enjoy a year or two adventuring, before you actually began your career.
    Funny how things work out, isn't it?

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    • Steve2.0
      8 years ago

      School is not a job.

      If I got paid to go to high school and socialise with the snotty-nosed, loud and badly behaved children there, I may not consider my high school years a complete waste.

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      • thegypsysailor
        8 years ago

        I guess it's how you look at it.
        To do well in school takes work for most. The reward may not be immediate, as in an internship, but it is or at least should be considered one's job while one is attending school.
        The intent of school is not to to, as you put it, 'socialise (sic) with the snotty-nosed, loud and badly behaved children', but rather to get an education.

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    • shuggy-chan
      8 years ago

      Well i agree with the first part, but unless they had a great scholarship or community college. No one these days can make money part time during college.

      The prices are probably 10 fold what it was in your day after adjusting for inflation

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  • Rainbowbash
    8 years ago

    Yeah, this is totes normal. I'm crashing with my brother right now Bcuz I gotta find a job.. I'm 20 years old, and my brother didn't find a job (With good pay) until he was 27.(28 now, so not long ago) It may take you more than a year or so until you can find the job for you, because I'm still having to look, still going to school, still crashing with my brother, (Super cool dude)... I didn't buy a dorm, cuz those things suck, and are total ripoffs... Although I may have just found one! 200 bucks a month. Decent. Still, dude. Keep on looking. Insurance is a good thing to go to, or maybe a sales office.. Those are pretty fun, actually. Good luck to ye!

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